Gold-Starred Chard

Oregon Chardonnay earns high marks

Sweet Cheeks 2015 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley

With brains, beauty and a touch of mystery, this Chard seduces. Passion fruit, guava, banana, pineapple, fruit cocktail, marzipan and orange herbal tea on the nose. Bright on the palate with flavors of almond and spiced vanilla plus a condensed dark note converging on savory, sweet and spice. Is it cola? Is it black tea? Did you empty the bottle attempting to decide? $25; 90 cases

Melrose 2013 Estate-Grown Chardonnay, Umpqua Valley

On the nose, the signature of banana and apple blend with sweet, nutty marzipan and dense, dusty juniper bark. A full palate experience offers buttery lemon curd and hints of honey, followed by lush, juicy acidity and a lengthy satisfying finish. $25; 420 cases

Dobbes Family Estate 2013 Chardonnay, Willamette Valley

Opinions are often judged on the ending: books, movies, marriages. You’ll know this wine is good, but the finish makes it great. Aromas of pear skin, pineapple, tart berry and honeysuckle join flavors of lemon on the attack with zingy acid throughout. The finish is delightfully green-apple clean, herbaceously minty and mouthwatering with just-right salinity. $26; 252 cases

Adelsheim 2014 Caitlin’s Reserve Chardonnay, Willamette Valley

A tropical nose of papaya, mango and ripe honeydew blend with floral talc, jasmine and sweet green herbs. Tropical and floral notes continue on the palate, where they become a bit honeyed and more subtle, allowing for easy food pairing. Fantastic acidity. $45; 583 cases

Fairsing Vineyard 2015 Chardonnay Yamhill-Carlton

An oak lover’s Chardonnay full of familiar woody, banana, buttery aromas lifted with layers of lime and tangerine zest. Brioche on the palate with buttery toasted almonds, silky mouth-coating texture and a tangerine-tinged sweetness on the finish.$42; 450 cases

Youngberg Hill 2015 Aspen Chardonnay, McMinnville

The aroma of mango, vanilla and custard entice, while pretty notes extend to the palate with pear, apple and bright tropical pineapple. Vibrant, mouthwatering acidity with the pleasant drying sensation of grapefruit pith carries through to a floral finish kissed with honeysuckle and citrus blossom. $40; 190 cases

With a focus on Northwest wines and regional cuisine, the Savor Cannon Beach festival offers a four-day lineup of wine, culinary and arts experiences in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beautiful destinations. A series of six festival events focus on specific themes that showcase the bounty of Northwest wine and cuisine while restaurants, galleries and shops add a weekend full of tastings, ...

The James Beard Legacy: A Celebration of “America’s First Foodie” in Oregon’s wine and truffle country.
Native Oregonian James Beard was a longtime champion of Oregon truffles and proclaimed them as equals to their more expensive and established European counterparts. As an ode to James Beard and his advocacy for Oregon truffles, the 2018 Oregon Truffle Festival’s wine ...

The James Beard Legacy: A Celebration of “America’s First Foodie” in Oregon’s wine and truffle country.
Native Oregonian James Beard was a longtime champion of Oregon truffles and proclaimed them as equals to their more expensive and established European counterparts. As an ode to James Beard and his advocacy for Oregon truffles, the 2018 Oregon Truffle Festival’s wine ...

The Terroir of Truffles weekend package holders will experience an authentic truffle hunt lead by professional truffle hunters with their dogs, followed by an unforgettable winery luncheon featuring top culinary talent and foraged Oregon truffles. Held at unique Oregon winery venues, this is wine country immersion and winter truffle excursion at its most authentic. Enjoy the best of the Old ...